2018-2019 Polk Vision Annual Report PV AR 2019_web | Page 28

All of Polk County will have the
fastest, most affordable and most
accessible high-speed internet
services possible by 2030.
SMART
COMMUNITIES
Sustainable economic development,
growth, opportunity and innovation
are dependent on affordable high
speed internet access. Having a
shared vision among all of the
Polk County communities helps to
ensure the alignment of broadband
infrastructure necessary to meet the
growing demand.
The Smart Communities LEAD Team
continues its work in educating
and building community consensus
around the vital importance of
a robust broadband network to
support Polk County’s economic
growth and prosperity.
Affordable, accessible high-speed
internet facilitates many critical
activities:
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Enables small business to
compete in a global marketplace
Means safer streets and
communities
Supports research and training at
colleges and universities
Greater opportunities for our
students
Better, faster, more effective
healthcare
The Smart Communities Team
aided by the Government Advisory
Team drafted a formal Resolution
supporting broadband expansion
that has been adopted by:
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City of Auburndale
City of Bartow
City of Davenport
City of Fort Meade
City of Haines City
City of Lake Alfred
City of Lake Wales
City of Lakeland
City of Polk City
City of Winter Haven
Polk County BoCC
Town of Dundee
The Smart Communities Team
seeks to identify ways to leverage
technology and broadband
infrastructure to solve problems
that exist in our county. In order
to attract STEM jobs we must
have the infrastructure in place to
accommodate the needs of these
businesses. As the Polk County
Public School District continues to
increase bandwidth to its individual
schools, our students will have
greater learning opportunities and
better testing environments. With
the expansion of the municipal
fiber network we are laying the
groundwork to support future
technologies such as 5G networks
and better data collection, resulting
in improved delivery of services, and
improved public safety. Polk County
could leverage Smart technology to
improve traffic flows, better use of
power, water, and other consumable
resources. There is virtually no limit
to the ways that technology can
be used to solve the problems our
county faces. We must be forward
thinking when addressing our
problems in order to achieve the
progress we so desire.
— CHAD TAGTOW, CIO & Senior Vice
President, Citizens Bank & Trust
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